BUDDHIST INNOVATION IN COUNSELING THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS OF MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDYALAYA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research article aimed: 1. To examine counselling services delivered through digital technology systems; 2. To develop a Buddhist innovation for counselling through digital technology systems; and 3. To propose the developed Buddhist innovation. The study employed a qualitative research and development (R&D) design conducted through six stages, integrating the Organization Development framework, Ariyasacca 4, the Four Noble Truths, and the Delone and McLean Information Systems Success Model. The participants included 25 key informants purposively selected from six stakeholder groups, 21 prototype users, and 10 experts participating in focus group discussions. Data were collected through document analysis, semi-structured in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, prototype testing and satisfaction assessment, and focus group discussions. The data were analyzed using content analysis, mean scores, and standard deviations.

The findings revealed that: 1. The university’s counselling system remained primarily a human-to-human service, with limitations related to time and location, as well as a lack of standardized screening and referral systems. The analysis indicated that the primary cause was the lack of systematic adoption of digital technology. Consequently, a counselling model integrating Buddhist principles and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was developed. 2. A prototype application, “Dhammajai,” was developed by integrating the Four Noble Truths with digital system architecture. It provided multiple counselling channels, supports anonymous access, includes the 2Q and ST5 screening tools, and incorporates a counsellor accreditation system based on the KAS framework. 3. Post-use satisfaction was high (mean = 4.34), significantly higher than the moderate pre-use level (mean = 2.52) at the .01 level. The system demonstrated quality across all six dimensions of the DeLone and McLean model and generated benefits at the individual, organizational, and societal levels. The experts agreed that this Buddhist innovation was appropriate, feasible, and capable of being further developed as a social innovation.